• About
  • Affliate Disclaimer

By Quiet Waters

~ Pausing by quiet waters in this full hard good life

By Quiet Waters

Category Archives: Garden and Home

Hello

20 Thursday Feb 2025

Posted by By Quiet Waters in Garden and Home, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

chickens, gardening, mental health

Hello there, it’s been a very long break from writing! And a lifetime of life has happened in this time. There are very few details that I can/will share about what sucked the life right out of me and caused the words to stop flowing, but I do plan to share the hope that has returned as healing began to finally take hold of me, as well as what I am up to now!

In the last post on this blog, my daughter and I were on an adventure, visiting coffee shops and sharing places and things that make our city great. We are actually embarking on another adventure this spring. As she moves home to go back to school, we are going to begin an urban homesteading adventure. I am pretty excited to be adding chickens and gardens to our property once again!

We had chickens about 12-14 years ago, and honestly I didn’t think we would embark on that again. But with all the gardening our daughter is planning, chickens seem to fit right in. Spring will be full, and hard work, and good!

Here’s to Spring’s soon arrival!

Michelle

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
Like Loading...

How Does Your Garden Grow?

26 Friday Jun 2015

Posted by By Quiet Waters in Garden and Home, Joy, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

There hasn’t been a single garden post this year.  That is due in large part to the long stretch of rain and no sunshine we experienced in May and early June.

How Does Your Garden Grow

How Does Your Garden Grow

The few seeds we finally did plant only went in toward the end of the first week of June.  Much too late for many things.  Here is how things looked on June 17.

IMG_6610

pretty puny for the middle of June, but I am hopeful that we will have a good harvest of squash, peas, lettuces and carrots. The weeds are sure flourishing though. Seems like they sprout back up day after every weeding.

How Does Your Garden Grow

I am so thankful for the return of the grapevine. It was very late to come back this year and I though we had lost it along with our peach tree.

How Does Your Garden Grow

How Does Your Garden Grow

The honeysuckle is increasing and starting to vine up just as I hoped.

How Does Your Garden Grow

purple clover

The days are much warmer now at the end of June and although we are still getting quite a bit of rain, plants seems to be growing steadily.  And it is looking to be a wonderful year for wild flowers!  Please share links in the comments if you have posted garden updates.  I’d enjoy seeing how other gardens grow this summer!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
Like Loading...

Pinterest “Did It”, May 30

21 Thursday May 2015

Posted by By Quiet Waters in Menu Planning, Recipes, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Now that school is out for Summer, I am looking forward to actually doing some of the projects and making some of the foods from my pinterest boards.  I’ve made a Did It! board and will be blogging about some of my successes, and a flop here & there is likely too.

This week I made Carrot Cake Pancakes.  The batter looked lovely to me, but some of my kiddos walked in and sincerely questioned what I was making.  Each of the kids did eat some of the pancakes but they were not a hit.  The batter was too heavy, so I added water mid way through the batch.

Being a girl who enjoys carrots and pineapple, I did enjoy the pancakes.  But for my kids’ sake, I will drop the pineapple off the recipe and try again the next time I have an abundance of carrots in the fridge.

Another fun Did It…GAK.  This was a fun DIY and my grand daughter was not the only one who had a lot of fun playing with the GAK.  I love how quickly this project was completed, maybe 10 minutes total!

All you need to make GAK is a 7 or 8 oz bottle of Elmer’s Glue, Food Coloring, Water, Borax, a large bowl and storage containers.  Here is the recipe I used.

add the whole bottle of glue

add the whole bottle of glue

Gak

Purple!

IMG_6208

GAK

add borax

GAK

stir til dissolved

GAK

combine with glue and stir

IMG_6217

GAK

Store in a gallon ziplock

I am really looking forward to this summer challenge, of DOING my pins.  How about you?  Do you regularly do what you pin?  Or do you need some inspiration to choose some pins and do those activities?

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
Like Loading...

Quick Snacks, Mini Pizza

09 Thursday Apr 2015

Posted by By Quiet Waters in Garden and Home, Menu Planning, Parenting, teens, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Quick snacks are a must all the time with growing children, but add the warmer weather and those kids get even hungrier.  And a house full of teens doing bigger and more things… even more so!

Warmer Weather

Spring has sprung, and the temperature is rising to lovely 60+ sunny degrees most days.  A little higher, a little lower, it doesn’t matter.  The kids are out the door running, bike riding, heading to the park.  And all that fresh air and activity?  Makes them hungry.  I’ve been pulling out my hair just a little with all the “what’s for…” “when’s dinner” questions.  Noon to 6 is a long stretch once the kids head outside so I began thinking about heartier snacks and healthy lunch fillers.

Mini Pizza

We often have home made pizza for lunch or dinner.  Recently I doubled the dough recipe and ended up with enough pizza for dinner, with dough left over.  Dividing the dough into 3 portions I rolled them out and made 3 personal size pizzas.  These pizzas were then loaded with pepperoni and cheese.

quick snacks, mini pizzas

 

mini pizzas, quick snacks

After cooling, each pizza was wrapped in parchment paper and slid into a quart sized ziplock bag.  The next day when people wandered into the kitchen looking for something to snack on, I pointed them to the fridge in search of those bags.  The pizzas were gone in a snap, but they were a hit!  One or two heated the pizzas, the other ate it cold.  So I do plan to take a few hours in the next week to make up a double batch of dough and turn all of it into mini pizzas.  Usually I put things like this into the freezer, but I really doubt that is needed or helpful in this season.   The turn over rate in our fridge is pretty high!

pizza lunches

This is the recipe I currently use for pizza dough.  Normally we have bowls of chopped bell peppers, black olives and green onions, as well as pepperoni, turkey or ham to use for toppings.  For sauce I often use Classico marinara sauce, a jar goes a long way in pizza making!  This sauce is often on sale and when it is I stock up.

I’m looking for more fresh ideas for hearty quick snacks and simple, healthy, filling lunches.  The house is now full of strong, active teens and while they don’t eat a lot at one time, they do wander into the kitchen OFTEN looking for something to eat.  Surely I’ll get back into the groove, but for now, I need some ideas!

What ideas do you have for simple, healthy and filling snacks for these warm weather days?

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
Like Loading...

This Moment, Fringe Hours Sewing

03 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by By Quiet Waters in Craft Projects, Gratitude, teens, Uncategorized, {This Moment}

≈ Leave a comment

This week was crazy upsidedown busy, (so true that a sick kiddo, 1.5 hour unplanned dr visit, and a long dentist appt can upset the balance in a week) but I still made time for some sewing at my newest sewing area.  Hubby graciously gave me this area while working on the last bit of the basement remodel.

Fringe Hours

Fringe Hours

I don’t usually bring my computer down while I sew, but I was running videos to build up my swagbuck bank some more.  Most days I try to get the daily meter goal, then consider the swagbuck task complete.  That day I squeaked them out while sewing.

The table looks cluttered in this photo, but I was in the midst of pinning and also dashing off to do a school pick up.  This is just what it all looked like when I returned.  See that soft stack of flannel on the shelf?  Toddler winter pjs are in the plans!

Fringe Hours, This Moment

Finished or nearly finished projects

The next time I left the sewing area, it looked like this, two projects nearly completed.  The tote bag came together on Sunday evening, the dress another afternoon, well the main seam and pinning the hem.  I just need to actually sew the hem and attach the ribbon shoulder straps, and the dress will be ready for my youngest sweetie.

Now to top it off, this evening, after dinner we are all heading to the sewing area, to tackle more projects (finish dresses) and fill eggs for the littlest sweetie in the bunch.

Did you claim any fringe hours this week?  Feel free to share in the comments!

 

Linking with Jessica over at the mom creative.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
Like Loading...

March 2015 in Review

31 Tuesday Mar 2015

Posted by By Quiet Waters in Books and Thoughts on Books, Craft Projects, Parenting, teens, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Month in Review

March 2015 in review, aka What I’m Into March 2015 Edition

What a glorious month! As I look over my notes for this post, I am enjoying the memories! March is a transition month, winter to spring, 3rd quarter to 4th quarter of the school year.

signs of spring

signs of spring

My daughters all head back to schooling yesterday, in one form or another, after a gloriously sunny spring break. The heading back to schooling has me excited, because summer is so very close! Just eight more weeks til we break for summer, wowee!

And, on another note, this month also meant a huge step towards the final part of our big remodel. The basement bathroom is dry walled, painted, and all the tile is laid and grouted!

 

diy bathroom remodel

The common area at the bottom of the stairs is also completed, and so very beautiful. My husband does good work. We head into April with only needing to finish the shower/bathtub surround, installing the towel bars, tp holder, medicine cabinet and mirror.

diy tile floor

 

 

In the next couple of weeks I’ll be handing my 3 youngest a little money and dropping them off at the store of their choice, to purchase the shower curtain, rugs & matching towels/washcloths. They are pretty excited, and I am hopeful that they can make a decision together, peacefully and remain friends afterwards! Hopefully I’ll remember to snap a couple of pictures for next month!

Now, for the month in review:

 

Read and Reading:

Magna Charta by James Daugherty (audiobook),   Made for Heaven by C.S. Lewis, I Dared to Call Him Father, Families Where Grace is in Place, Gathering Blue

This was a lot of inspirational reading, plenty to think on, and plenty to act on.  One of my favorite passages from all of the words is this:

There are no ordinary people.  You have never talked to a mere mortal.  Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations–these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat.  But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendours.  This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn.  We must play.  But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously–no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption.  And our charity must be a real and costly love, with deep feeling for the sins in spite of which we love the sinner–no mere tolerance, or indulgence which parodies love as flippancy parodies merriment.  Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object present to your senses.  If he is your Christian neighbor, he is holy in almost the same way, for in him also Christ vere latitat–the glorifier and the glorified, Godly Himself, is truly hidden.”  C.S. Lewis, Made for Heaven and Why on Earth it Matters.

Currently reading:  On my old ipod I have Sense and Sensibility to listen to while driving.  I am so very blessed to be on the launch team for For the Love (advance copy by Jen Hatmaker).  Thankfully I have til August to decide what I’m going to share and to get it all written.  To follow up Magna Carta I am reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine.  To follow up Families Where Grace is in Place, I have picked Peacemaking for Families back up. Hope Rising by Scott C. Todd is in my day bag for April reading as well.

(I completed _5_ books this month, a good reading month!)

Music: While working at the Rock and Worship Road Show during spring break, we heard Jon Guerra and his wife for the first time. Their music been being played on Pandora! Since we were actually working at the event, we missed Group 1 Crew and Jamie Grace because we were in event training. That said we did enjoy hearing Shaun Groves speak (each of us was a little disappointed that he didn’t sing), Tdashi, Matt Mahr, Crowder and Mercy Me. It was a great night of music and advocating for children!

Movies: The Dropbox came back through our city for a second round and we were able to slip out on a Monday night to see it.  I am thankful we were able to see the movie, but I have to say the bit of conversation (in the film) afterwards seemed awkward.

Things I Loved in March:

March 2015 in Review

testing a new recipe

March in Review

Creative Pursuits by my kids

Finger Painting!

Finger Painting!

playful photography

playful photography

IMG_5730

 

In the Blogosphere:

*Her hurt is different than mine, but really, it is the same. We are the same. Both just as in need of a Savior as the other.

What is too hard today, friends? What is too messy? It is hard to believe sometimes but we can know that God is good in that place. We’ve tasted and known His goodness, even in the impossibly hard places. Romans 2 says, “To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory honor and immortality, He will give eternal life.”   http://katiedavis.amazima.org/

*Searching for Truth, this poem.

* At least three times a day take a moment and ask yourself what is really important. Have the wisdom and the courage to build your life around your answer.   – Dr. Lee Jampolsky  found on this post

 Rocket Booster, our Great Rescue

At a loss for words when writing thank you notes to teachers? Ideas here

http://www.youthfaithandfinance.com/

Blog and Cleaning printables

On The Blog:

My favorite day of the week.

IMG_5531

Snow covering part of the Waldo Canyon burn area

 

That’s it, March 2015 in Review.  To join in the conversation & celebration of all that a month can hold, visit Leigh Kramer!

 

What I'm Into

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
Like Loading...

Winter Projects, Chasing Away Winter Blues

07 Saturday Mar 2015

Posted by By Quiet Waters in Craft Projects, Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Winter projects are a great way to take advantage of all the indoor time of cold winter evenings!  Over the last two months I was able to wrap up one project that had been long lingering on the sewing table.

cousin quilt

Cousin Quilt

  I also started, and finished, another sewing project. {sweet success!}

This past holiday season we enjoyed celebratory meals in our new kitchen.  I found myself wanting to dress up the table more festive, and was very puzzled over not being able to find the Christmas table cloth!  Thinking it was mistakenly purged during the deep de-cluttering that goes with gutting 3 major areas of a home, I decided I needed to replace it.  So after looking around the internet for a few ideas, I got to work.  After Christmas, I found several cheerful patterned cotton fabrics marked way down.

I’ve decided on place mats for now, maybe a new table cloth later.

winter projects

winter projects

A colorful stack of Cheer!

After cutting some of the place mats I had a nice piece of “scrap” fabric.  From it I cut 3 12×12 pieces.   This is a little smaller than the standard cloth napkin size, but I think it will work just fine.winter projects

I’m going to try to finish the napkins in March, before spring break!  If that doesn’t happen, it will become a summer project, ha!

I would love to hear what projects you’ve been working on, during this Long. Cold. Season to chase away the winter blues.

Hope you will share in the comments!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
Like Loading...

Picking Up Needles Again!

27 Friday Feb 2015

Posted by By Quiet Waters in Books and Thoughts on Books, Craft Projects, Parenting, teens, Uncategorized, {This Moment}

≈ 2 Comments

This Moment, a moment to remember, to celebrate, as I thought this week begin picking up the needles again, redeeming some of those moments waiting in the car pool lane, or passing a few minutes with a teen in the car before she dashes off for another round of classes.

 

#fringehours

 

Inspired by the new book Fringe Hours by Jessica Turner, I’ve been on the look out for my own #fringehours.  It ‘s been a long while since I picked up a set of knitting needles and a ball of yarn, but this week I found a simple pattern, took a few minutes to pull a set of needles out of the tub on the top closet shelf and managed to remember to put the items in the van!

Never have I been an accomplished knitter, but I do enjoy the craft.  One afternoon this week I had a few minutes with my 15 year old daughter, just waiting in the van.  I pulled out the needles and yarn and let her refresh me on seed stitch.  Sweet precious moment!

 

Linking with Amanda, and Jessica

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
Like Loading...

White Chili Recipe

30 Friday Jan 2015

Posted by By Quiet Waters in Menu Planning, Recipes, Soups, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

White Chili has become a family favorite, or at least a favorite of the ladies of the home!  My hubby is a beef guy through and through, but he does enjoy this chili with a large dose of Louisiana Hot Sauce!  Beef or not, we are a beany family, hee hee.

Since being treated to this new to us spin on Chili by my sweet sister in law, we’ve put it into our monthly rotation of meals, and of course changed it up a little.  Here is the recipe for the homemade Chili Seasoning.

 

 

 

 

white chili

Let me know if you try this recipe and what you think of it.  I’d also love to hear what others top their chili with!

 

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
Like Loading...

A Valentines Remembrance Swap!

13 Tuesday Jan 2015

Posted by By Quiet Waters in Craft Projects, Gratitude, Joy, Life Long Learner, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

A Valentine RemembranceCommunity is life giving and invigorating, challenging and inspiring.  I’ve been a quiet part of the Simple Woman’s community for years.  It has been inspiring, life giving and encouraging to me.

This year, as part of my goals (NOURISH) I am stepping out a bit more intentionally to be an active part of community, in real life and online.  So, may I invite you to join me?  To have a little intentional friendship fun this Valentines, make a new acquaintance and maybe a new friend?

The Simple Woman has invited bloggers to her Valentines Remembrance Swap.  Here are the nitty gritty details:

valentines remembrance swapJust go to The Simple Woman’s blog!

*January 22nd-sign-ups closed
*January 23rd-Matching begins
*January 26th– Watch for email with your swap partner’s info
*February 13th-ALL swap packages MUST BE RECEIVED”
If you if this sounds fun to you, I hope you’ll join Peggy over at The Simple Woman.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
Like Loading...
← Older posts
h

Recent Posts

  • A Few Favorite Things, Dec 2025
  • It Won’t Always Be This Way
  • Strategy and Post Traumatic Growth
  • Panto of the Month Promotion over at Colorado Beauty Quilts!
  • Bumps in the Road

Recent Comments

By Quiet Waters's avatarMichelle on The Light Shines in the D…
Hannah H.'s avatarHannah H. on The Light Shines in the D…
By Quiet Waters's avatarMichelle on Home Visit in Singuil El …
By Quiet Waters's avatarMichelle on Home Visit in Singuil El …
Terri's avatarTerri on Home Visit in Singuil El …

Archives

  • December 2025
  • November 2025
  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • November 2016
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • August 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • February 2010

Categories

  • Books and Thoughts on Books
  • British Columbia Adventures
  • Canada
  • Celebrations
  • Colorado Springs
  • Compassion International
  • Craft Projects
  • Education
  • El Salvador
  • Favorite Things
  • Garden and Home
  • giveaways
  • goals
  • grandparenting
  • Gratitude
  • Heart Valve Disease
  • history
  • Homeschooling
  • Joy
  • Letter Writing
  • Life Long Learner
  • Menu Planning
  • Nature Study
  • One Life
  • Open Heart Surgery
  • Parenting
  • Recipes
  • Soups
  • teens
  • toddler activities
  • Traveling
  • Truth
  • Uncategorized
  • {This Moment}

Meta

  • Create account
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com
img_9720

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • By Quiet Waters
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • By Quiet Waters
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d